Dyche: European Win An Occasion To Savour

The Clarets finally wore down a determined Aberdeen side in extra time to earn a Europa League third qualifying round tie against Istanbul Basaksehir.

And after the 3-1 second leg victory, securing a 4-2 aggregate win, the gaffer was delighted to finally send the club’s supporters overseas on their “European tour”.

Dyche said: “With all due respect to the Aberdeen tie, the whole idea of going on European tour wasn’t England v Scotland – for them too, I think.

“So at least we have got that part, where the fans will now be literally going further afield, and for me, it was my first time in Europe and my first win through a round, so it’s an occasion I’ll certainly remember for a long time.”

He added: “It was a really good tie overall and Aberdeen made us work really hard.

“They delivered two very strong performances and tonight they weren’t looking to try and hang on.

“They came and played - and I mean that sincerely and not in any patronising way - and made a real game of it and we’re delighted to come out on top.”

The Clarets now face a trip to Istanbul next Thursday, before the Premier League opener at Southampton on Sunday week.

And Dyche, who was forced to withdraw Chris Wood, Aaron Lennon and Stephen Ward with injuries, admitted that protecting his players ahead of the start of the league season was a primary aim.

Dyche said: “It’s going to be difficult but that’s what the competition holds. You can’t have it all ways.

“You want it and then it comes and you have to roll with it. Logistically that will sort itself out, but at the moment it’s more about players.

“We have a number of soft tissue injuries - not serious ones, but we’ve had to be really careful tonight.

“It’s a strange one because you want to win for the people here, but you are not losing sight of the fact that the Premier League is more important, whatever anyone says, so I’m having to take players off to protect them in pre-season, in a real game, in Europe.

“That’s very difficult as a manager and we had to make a decision on Woody at half time (abductor) and Aaron because his hamstring was tight, and Wardy just to make sure he was fine.

“It’s a new one on me, especially in a tight game and having to look at the bigger picture.

“I must also mention Dwight McNeil as well, because it was fantastic for him to be involved in a game like this. Our first European game in 51 years and a young man gets on and does really nicely.”